Amur Falcon: ‘Birds of God’

• Amur falcons, locally known as ‘Akhoipuina’ have recently arrived in Manipur’s Tamenglong district from their summer breeding grounds in southeast Russia and northeast China. They are also known as Ra Ruai or Birds of God in Manipur.

Amur Falcon

• Amur falcons are pigeon-sized migratory birds originating in Siberia where they breed in the summer. They fly to India, especially to the Northeast (Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya) at the onset of winter to rest for about two months before leaving for South Africa where they stay for four months.
• The birds are traditionally believed to be the ‘messengers of God’ and harbingers ....